Michigan State won the game by a score of 75-64. This was the first of many match-ups between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. It is still the highest rated game in college basketball history. Bird was the tournament’s leading scorer and rebounder, leading Indiana State to a near perfect season. Behind Magic Johnson’s stellar performance, MSU managed to win their first National Championship and Johnson was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
This was the first tournament with the entire field being seeded and the only one with a 40 team bracket. Indiana State was the only number 1 seed remaining in the Final Four with Michigan State being the 2 seed in their division. Pennsylvania was the surprise of the tournament, reaching the Elite Eight as a 9 seed.
